"And here you are, after all. You've always been quite the intuitive one. I'm glad that letter reached you." Duke exclaimed, having apparently listened in to the elite trainer's last line of conversation. With her current get up, he probably would've missed her out of his periphery, but fortunately Duke could rely on his keenest of trackers to help him identify the right person. The Lampent beside her only served as additional confirmation. He himself wore a relatively casual outfit, meant to help him blend in with the casino's patrons: a salmon-colored slim fit shirt; simple capri pants; and a pair of white espadrilles. Golden-rimmed aviator glasses covered his eyes to the surrounding crowd. He wondered if it would take long for her to recognize him.

Marion's scent was something the Seviper could never forget herself, even without the aid of a scent refreshner, though what made it memorable was not born out of an associated sentiment of affection, but rather a desire to enact bloody revenge. From Chris's perspective, what happened years ago, and the consequences thereafter, where all the ghost specialist's fault. Unforgivable. Utterly unforgivable. Yet, the timing was off. Her trainer was watching.

Duke on the other hand did not share on his starter's hatred, though he harbored some conflicting emotions, even now. He wasn't around when Marion returned - as a member of the elite, no less! - and now that she was back, he had to confirm things himself; he wanted to see her eye to eye and gauge just what kind of soul was still hiding behind them. It was his intent to walk and explore around on the outside while catching up with Marion, and talking her into working together, if only, at least, by virtue of their talent alone. If she would have him, that is.

"Hey there!" He pulled up his glasses as he greeted her; forming a small, warm smile in the process. "It's been a long time. How have you been?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyuu-Tales

Promenade of Desires (Marion Ette, Balmund, Naruxami, Rotom310, 134) - The winding path oscillates with excitement by night now stretches out unremarkable against the near-noonday sun. Flanking the roundabout trail are carefully-manicured shrubs and trees groomed in close semblance of the casino's namesake, the Wish Pokémon Jirachi. To the left side stands a weathered multi-tiered parking garage, easily capable of storing several dozens of vehicles, from the size of the humble motor scooter to the mighty eighteen-wheeler. At the right is a lovely garden dotted with finery of the most exotic floral sort, replete with plain white gazebos—the seat of luxury for those seeking shelter from the hustle-bustle of the gambler's row. Amidst the open-air structures flows a man-made creek surrounded by bamboo, meticulously tended to by the casino's grounds-keeping crew.

The central hub of activity, steps away from the maddening gates to greed, are crowds bursting with the excitement of every manner of tourist, their hearts on their sleeves and their pockets brimming with monies to match hopes and dreams. As always, fair tidings of the budding day proffer an almost nascent sensibility of prosperity and cheer upon those in attendance.

There are however some present whose intentions run on an altogether different lieu. While they remain largely unawares of one another, this ambitious crew is indeed united in a single cause...

On the outskirts of the masses are two who seem keen on appearances above all. Marion stands astride her partner Gwyn the Lampent, awaiting the arrival of an anonymous ally who promises to provide her with assistance in her endeavors. The soul in question would be none other than Duke and his dour Seviper, Chris; the former waves and smiles in greeting before addressing his long-time acquaintance. However, the exchange does not go unnoticed by the security staff at the gate, whose attentions were commanded by the sight of the Fang Snake Pokémon slithering within a rock's throw of their station.

Closer to the fringes of the crowd Elka make a head towards groomed bush and bramble, alert to anything that strikes the senses as strange or curious. Joined by her Torracat Morgana, she maintains a measured pace while making clever use of her crutches to displace pebbles, stones, and debris. Eventually the pair sidles up to the garden, its flora as made up not unlike a prim-and-proper Furfrou, stalks and branches delicately coiffed to perfection to bring the best out of bamboo leaves. The sandy stones precisely placed within glitter prettily against the sunbeams; closer inspection reveals not one but two odd rocks towards the garden's center, one large and the other small, which do not glisten in quite the same manner as the rest, appearing smooth and waxen in sheen where the others are rough-hewn. Examining either stone in proper would require one to tread deeper into the garden, which is off-limits to visitors. Will Elka trespass to chance a closer look?

Nearby Drew rounds the approach while keeping an eye between Corvinus the Murkrow's location and his periphery. A rendezvous seems unlikely so soon, so the trainer quickly brings his sights singly to rest on the playful greenery dotting the inner perimeter of the promenade. The brush there has been sheared in a myriad of whimsical star shapes which surround a larger-than-life statue of the casino's mascot. As the man studies the statue, the sun peeks out from behind clouds, blinding him for a few seconds. He shirks and squints, but nearly blinds himself a second time as he suddenly beholds a curious scene… a line of light drawn round the bases of the star bushes, barely perceptible to the naked eye. Trip wire. What in the world would necessitate the installation of a security device like that?

Meanwhile Johto native Tate, having chosen impulse over further consternation, makes meaningful strides away from the casino's entrance. When the trainer deems the distance between themselves and the crowds sufficient, they notice a fork to the right. A paw from Kai alerts Tate to a sign as a truck whizzes past: Loading Docks. The cobblestone course changes to gravel and winds around the back of the establishment; some ways off, the edge of a platform and the corner of something large and cube-shaped can be seen, though it's unclear exactly what from afar.

Shadowy creatures nipping at her heels, devious assassins hovering their knives and garrotes within inches of her throat, rooftop snipers aiming their sights directly at her head - any of this would have been preferable to the ambush that truly awaited her. Even the most ruthless Pokemon would have been easier to contend with than the overwhelming, beastly-strong emotions crippling her mind at this very moment at the sight of her former lover and his revenge-driven Seviper. I knew this was trap, Marion thinks to herself, and I should have known... That handwriting...

Thinking quickly, Gwyn subtly casts his light such that his trainer's eyes are obscured by the shadow cast by the brim of her hat, to conceal her reaction. He bows carefully and respectfully to both Duke and his infamous Seviper. Duke's question, though friendly and well-meaning on the surface, takes a long pause from Marion to process - Gwyn cheerfully creates a shadow-puppet of Jirachi dancing to amuse and entertain in that short interim. Perhaps his intent into break the tension...?

"...Busy," she finally responds, somewhat evasively. "Quite busy." She pauses, noting the guard eyeing Chris - she supposed it was rather unsurprising that a creature of Orchrist's power and distinction would catch attention merely by existing. Gwyn, too, seems aware of the current situation, his glowing eyes briefly glancing over to his trainer. Giving a nod to Gwyn, the Lampent silently floats in the direction of the man-made creek to investigate while the guard is distracted. Taking the opportunity herself, Marion decides to engage the guards directly, while they seem so enamored with Chris...

Taking a step closer to the guard station, she gives the guards a smile and a wave. "Y'all don't need to worry," Marion says with a bright, sunny voice - a far cry from her typical, quiet tone, and significantly disguised - "That Seviper over there may be big and strong, but the only person here who has to worry about her is me, hahaha! She still won't forgive me for that snakeskin bag I bought years ago - I still maintain that I thought it was imitation!" She shoots a grin at Duke and Chris before continuing - perhaps a wordless hint to them? "Actually, this is my first time here since the big overhaul, but to be honest, I'm not much of a gambler - still, these grounds look beautiful! What can you tell me about them?"

((OOC: Working on updates for my folks as quickly as I can. Sorry for the wait!))